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(c) Elliott Publishing.

Rent-a-Victim
Err Travel · October 5, 1999

The World's Most Dangerous Places describes locations that would make even the most adventurous traveler take cover. In this soldier-of-fortune travelogue, Robert Young Pelton recounts the "adventure" of visiting dangerous countries from Afghanistan to Zaire.

A place that Mr. Pelton doesn't mention though is the one location that is the most dangerous for the everyday Ticked-Off Tourist like you and me: The airport rent-a-car counter.

It is here that travelers fall all over themselves to offer up information that bad guys use when sizing up potential targets.

Here's an example of how it works. An unassuming traveler shows up at the Avis counter at the San Francisco airport. The conversation -- at least the part of the conversation that can be overheard -- goes something like this:

Hi. My name is Pat O'Shea. I have a car reserved for two weeks. I was supposed to pick it up earlier this evening, but my flight from Boston was delayed for hours. I hope you held a car for me. It may be under my name or the company's - Allister Corporation. You did? Great. The white GrandAm will be fine. No, I'll be the only driver. This is my first time in 'Frisco, so can you tell me how to get to the Hilton Hotel downtown? I'm exhausted. All I want is to get to the hotel and crash.

These few sentences are rich with the kind of information that would-be robbers love to hear, the kind of information that places Pat O'Shea high on a list of potential victims.

Look at all the details of his vulnerability that have been presented to anyone listening. Pat has revealed his first and last names and the name of his employer -- anyone using them when approaching him can cause him to let down his guard. Pat is tired, alone, maybe a little confused. This is his first time in "Frisco" (no kidding there), and he plans to be around for a couple of weeks. Anybody in earshot knows what he will be driving, where he is going, and where he plans to stay -- one of the seedier parts of the city, by the way.

Now if Pat looks like he's carrying items of significant value -- successful criminals are good at determining that -- then Pat becomes a "mark." And Pat himself has had a major role in achieving that standing. Whether he completes his trip safely is unknown. Chances are that he will. But those chances have more to do with luck than with his own behavior.

Take a lesson from this allegory. The next time you rent a car, offer as little information as possible. Keep your answers brief and your questions general.

You may be in one of the most dangerous places of your travels: The rent-a-car counter.

Dr. Terry Riley is a psychologist and travel security authority. His column appears on Saturdays. Visit his site at http://www.appliedpsychology.com or e-mail him at riley@appliedpsychology.com.